Bertha Fay "Boots" Story

Bertha Fay Story, 80-year-old resident of Jay, Oklahoma, passed away on May 11, 2023. Bertha “Boots” was born on June 19, 1942, in Grove, Oklahoma. She was the second of ten children born to Emmett and Inez (Jones) Crawford. Bertha married Gary Lee Youngblood on November 28, 1960, and moved to Penrose, Colorado. They were blessed with four children: Gary Neal Youngblood, Dana Michele Miller, Billy Melissa Youngblood and Justin Reed Youngblood.

In 1992, Bertha returned to Oklahoma, enrolled in the nursing program at NEO, and earned her degree at the age of 57. She spent the majority of her nursing career at the Gravette Hospital. In 1998, Bertha married James K. Story and they spent their time together boating, traveling and watching Nascar.

Bertha was a talented seamstress. She made beautiful quilts and enjoyed gifting them to friends and relatives on special occasions. She also enjoyed working with stained glass, painting, vegetable and flower gardening (especially irises), watching her hummingbirds, and spending time with friends and family.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, siblings Billy and Doris, granddaughter McKenzie Miller, and in-laws Carolyn , Michele Youngblood and Warren (Smitty) Smith. She is survived by her four children: Gary, Michele and husband Brian, Melissa, Justin and wife Marleen, seven grandchildren: Cassidy Youngblood, Sunday Santamaria, Timber Youngblood, Maison Miller, Chloe Norholm, Kirsten Norholm and Liam Norholm, five great grandchildren: Raylee Youngblood, Beau Cunningham, Addyson Miller, Natalie Santamaria, and Gabriel Santamaria, , seven Crawford siblings: Melvin and wife Donna, Wayne and wife Saundra, Dick and wife Sharon, Ava Jo, Gary and wife Cathy, John and wife Cheryl, and Cheryl, brother-in-law Ross Payton, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 with Funeral Service to follow, both at Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home in Grove, Oklahoma. Bertha will be laid to rest in the Zena Cemetery.